When tragedy strikes, it takes a village to help make things
right. When 137 residents of the Forest Glen Senior Apartments in Centreville
were displaced after a May 2 fire caused more than $10 million in damages, several
agencies from the American Red Cross to small nonprofits pitched in to help the
seniors.

The agencies were recognized by the Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors at the Fairfax Government Center in Fairfax July 31. The St.
Vincent de Paul chapter at St. Timothy Church in Chantilly, and the parish Knights
of Columbus were among those recognized.

They recognition was “a resolution to recognize the appropriate
jurisdictions, agencies, organizations and entities for their service during
and subsequent to the simultaneous fires on May 2 in Fairfax County.” The
resolution was put forward by Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor Kathy L.
Smith.

“The community came together in such an incredible way on May 2,”
said Smith. “We have an incredible spreadsheet of many of the people who
donated. In addition to the county agencies that assisted, numerous nonprofits
provided services to the residents. St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus
from St. Timothy assisted in organizing donations.”

Since the fire, the groups have not stopped helping, according to
Robert Iannotta, deputy grand knight. “The seniors have been dispersed all over
the county,” said Iannotta. “It is a culture shock. There’s been a lot of hand-holding
to get them settled.”

The Knights and St. Vincent de Paul chapter are providing
furnishings, security deposits, rent, and other necessities. “We try to track
them, do home visits and stay in touch with them on a personal level,” said
Charlene Unterkofler, coordinator of senior relief services for St. Vincent de
Paul.

She said there was an influx of people at the beginning who
needed help. “They were in hotels and we helped them get into a new apartment,”
she said. “The people we are hearing from now are the relatives to help choose
the best place for the seniors.”

When asked what it meant to be recognized by the Board of
Supervisors, both Unterkofler and Iannotta said they are doing what Jesus would
do.

“It was nice to be recognized and be one of the many people in
the room,” said Unterkofler. “It’s humbling, not so much individual pride or
glory but being part of this huge effort and touching lives; so it brought a
lot of that back. It’s a beautiful feeling to be involved in this, especially
for people in the Christian community. We feel called to this. It’s very
rewarding.”